“The … road leading north to Blackburn, once boasted three cinemas. Furthest out, on the corner of Belmont Road . . was the Belle. Snuggled away behind a pub, it was a stone building, quite tiny, and low inside; apparently clean enough but never without a dank smell. The front stalls uniquely consisted of backless wooden forms, riveted to the floor; not very comfortable, but for a penny one could hardly complain.”

Seats In All Parts: by Leslie Halliwell – a description of visits shortly before WW2.